There are many popular cozy authors I don’t get around to
reading much. Too many books and all that. One of the
names I haven’t kept up with at all is Ellery Adams, but I decided to give her
a try. Since I am so far behind, I decided to go with her latest
series since there’s only one book in the series. That means I’m up
to date on this series at least, right? That’s how I came to read Murder in the Mystery Suite. Unfortunately,
a weak plot kept me from loving it like I had hoped I would.

Jane Steward enjoys her life as the manager for Storyton
Hall, the family estate located in the country in Virginia. This
resort is a reader’s paradise with libraries and libraries of books, and people
come from all around to spend time in solitude reading. However, the
estate is beginning to need some repairs, and so Jane hits on the idea of
hosting themed weeks with more events to draw in crowds.

The first such weekend is a Mystery and Mayhem Week with
costume balls, scavenger hunts, and other fun activities. The
scavenger hunt is held on opening night, and the prize is a first edition book
about the letters of mystery author Adela Dundee, creator of the beloved
Umberto Ferrari. However, soon after awarding the prize, Jane’s
great-aunt insists that they gave the winner the wrong book. When
Jane goes to switch out the copies, she finds the winner dead and the book
missing. What was in that particular book that made it worth killing
over?

The author tries hard to break out and do something
different with this book, and I applaud her for that. At first I
wasn’t sure what to think about that twist, however, by the time I reached the
end, I was on board with it. In fact, I could see how it would lead to
lots of fun in further books in a series. Likewise, the mystery is
complex and has some twists to it I wasn’t expecting at all.

However, the more I’ve thought about the ending, the more
I’m disappointed with it. The majority of the story is wrapped up in
a satisfactory manner, but there are some questions left outstanding that are
bugging me. I can guess what the answers might be, but I’d really
like to know for sure. Additionally, there’s a plot hole or two out
there.

That’s a shame because I really liked the
characters. I can see plenty of potential for fun and growth with
them in future books. My only nitpick here is that Jane’s twin sons
occasionally seemed to act about eight or nine, while other times they acted
their true age of six. Still, the large staff of the resort and many
members of the town were so much fun, and I would love to visit them again.

There were so many references to famous detectives past and
present that it was a blast to read. Many of them I am familiar with
only by reputation, but I still got a kick out of seeing their names pop up
here. However, my favorite mention was of Mrs.
Polliax. (And if you don’t know why I would especially love that,
click on the Carstairs? link on the top of the page.)

Still I will probably pass on future visits to Storyton Hall. The
weak plot was enough to keep me from returning, so I will not find out what
happens after Jane solves the Murder in the Mystery Suite.

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I'm an accountant by trade but a reviewer at heart. Top reviewer at Amazon. Love to read, watch TV and movies, and listen to music. And I'm always looking to share and discuss what I am currently consuming.

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